Pippa smiled as she leaned in for a kiss. She didn’t have the answer to that question, not in that exact moment, but she knew she had everything she needed to work it out. And for the time being, that was all that mattered.
ChapterTwenty-Four
Pippa gazed upon Squires with a fierce glow of satisfaction. Squires’s grounds were full of happy fairgoers, with sugared children chasing each other around the lawn as the racers waited anxiously for their prizes. A local brass band oom-pah-pahed gently to one side, whilst a few pensioners danced along, cheeks flushed, whether from sun or the delicious Pimm’s cocktails Mae’s pub had sold en masse that day, Pippa wasn’t sure.
“Who’s the chap with the ouzo again?” Wolfie was beside her, sniffing his cup suspiciously.
“Mr Dmitri,” Pippa said. “He used to run the pharmacy before he retired. Now he makes lethally alcoholic spirits but calls them artisanal so he can justify whacking the prices up.”
“He’s funny,” Wolfie said, knocking back his drink and failing spectacularly not to cough. “Christ!”
“I did warn you!” Pippa laughed.
“Wolfie, Wolfie!” Todd appeared at their side, cheeks flushed with excitement. “We hear the sale is off!”
Wolfie eyes narrowed. “Wow, word really does travel fast in Hurst Bridge.”
“Well, you two did put on quite the passionate performance in front of the whole town by all accounts, so you can’t blame the gossip mill for going into overdrive,” Todd said. “We’re very happy for you.”
Pat arrived, handing his husband a bottle of water. “We really are. Wolfie, listen, please could you allow me to introduce you to my grandmother Agnes?” He waved at an elderly lady so tiny and wrapped up in so many woolly layers that she resembled a tea cosy. “She’s desperate to meet the owner of this house. She worked here as a teenager before she got married and moved away.”
Wolfie’s eyes widened. “It’d be an honour.” He looked down at Pippa. “Is that okay?”
“Sure!” She nudged him. “Go and mingle.”
He thanked her with a blazing smile, then followed Todd and Pat, chattering easily with them as they walked.
“You have to tell me everything.” Frankie suddenly grabbed her arm from behind. “The whole town is abuzz with the goss about you and Wolfie Squires.”
Pippa rolled her eyes, thoroughly unsurprised. “I’m glad everyone’s focusing on that and not on the success of the fair.”
Frankie laughed. “Do you really need anyone telling you what an amazing feat you pulled off?” He motioned around them. “I mean, look at this crowd. Surely you’ve hit the fundraising target?”
Pippa felt a surge of pride as she nodded. Mae had confirmed as such only minutes ago, via an emoji-riddled text that was almost certainly champagne-fuelled. “And more besides.”
“Perhaps this will become an annual event again then?” Frankie asked hopefully. “Like, forever?”
Pippa looked over at Wolfie. “I hope so.”
“Anyway. Enough boring chat.” Frankie elbowed her. “Are you going to tell me?”
Pippa arched an eyebrow, enjoying the tease. “Tell you what?”
Frankie practically screamed. “About why Wolfie Squires pushed you through the town in a wheelbarrow andwhywere you seen snogging each other’s faces off outside the SPAR? I hear Mrs Allen had to take an extra dose of angina medication because it was so raunchy!”
“Mrs Allen should mind her own business,” Pippa retorted with a giggle.
“Pip.” Frankie glared.
“Fine.” Pippa couldn’t hold back the wave of joy. “We’re together. He’s not selling the house.”
Frankie clutched her arm, eyes bulging. “Are you serious?” She nodded and he frowned. “But what about the money issues? Doesn’t he have to pay off his dad’s ancient debts or something?”
“Yes.” Pippa sobered. She’d been so wrapped up in the romance of the moment that she’d forgotten the practical reasons behind the sale. How was Wolfie going to solve the old debt hanging over his head? “We’ve not gone into detail, but I’m sure he has it all in hand. We’ll sort it out.”
“No time like the present.” Frankie pointed at Wolfie.
“What, now?” Pippa groaned. “Can’t it wait until the prizegiving? I haven’t even finished my Pimm’s!”
